The joint study, from Loughborough University in England and the University of Sydney in Australia, observed the BMIs and waist measurements of more than 42,700 men and women in the UK over the course of 10 years.

Researchers looked to see if there was an increased risk of death for people carrying extra weight around the middle, known as ‘central obesity’, compared to those carrying it elsewhere.

They found that those who had a normal BMI but also central obesity – and therefore a high waist-to-hip ratio – had a 22 percent increased risk of death.

Obese participants with central obesity also had an increased risk, but this did not hold true for the overweight individuals.

Although the reason is unclear, researchers believe there a link between extra fat stored around legs and hips and a healthier metabolism.